The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-08-18
Senator Riddleberger.

Senator Riddleberger was fined by Judge
Newman, of the County Court of Shenan-
doah, on Friday last, for alleged contempt
OF court, and sentenced to ten days in Jail.
The Judge and the Senator are bitter per-
sonal enemies. Some difficulty occurred in
the court room in regard to case of misde-
meanor in which Riddleberger was coun-
sci for the defendant, an old offender
named Jones. The jury acquitted the ac-
cused on the ground of insanity. That
evening Jones got drunk and paraded the
street with placard bearing this legend:
Verdict, Bill Jones not guilty, but insane
jury insane. Lawyers insane. Court in.
sane in the MAN,
Riddleberger, late in the evening was
summoned before the Court to show cause
why he should not be fined for contempt.
| The Senator claimed that the warrant had
not been properly served, and that the
| Court had no jurisdiction. The Judge de-
clared that he had fully decided that it
had. The Senator then commenced to
argue, and the Court told him to sit down.
This he refused to do and was subsequently,
taken to jail. That night his friends re-
leased him, and he remained at home and
on the street until Monday. when he vol
unfairly returned to the jail. There was
intense excitement for awhile, but at last
accounts everything had queted down.
On Tuesday Senator Riddleberger left
the Jail ON advice of counsel. they holding
that the five days sentence of the judge
had expired, and that the additional five
days imposed was illegal. An attempt to
rearrest was made, but he pushed the dep
| uty aside and walked home. An order for
his re-arrest was again issued by the Judge,
| but on the advice of physicians, 1t was not
put in force, they saying that it would be
dangerous to his health to keep him con
| fined in the Jail. The judge therefore
ordered his release until sach time as his
physical condition would admit of further
proceedings
A special from Winchester, Va. dated Mon
day. to the Philadelphia Press. gives state
ment of an tntima te friend of Senator Riddle
berger in which the circumstances of his ar
rest and Incarceration for contempt of court
are stated with mnuteness. 1t is denied that
| the Senator resisted arrest. but stated that he
went quietly with the sheriff to the JAIL and it
is further asserted that when he rescued
by his friends he refused to go, but was taken
out against his wishes and protest. The state
ment continues; AFTER spending Sunday with
his family the Senator voluntarily came from
his home and appeared at the door of the Jail |
and surrendered himself to the jailer. He re-
manned in jail awaiting the return of the Judge |
who, in avery short time after sending him to
jail, adjourned the court until Monday morn |
resort in the mountains about miles from |
Woodstock before the Senator, his attorney or
friends could take any action in the matter. |
For this he has been severely censured even |
by his friends, as it was unheard-of proceed
| ing by Virginia judge. no lawyer having re-
more than u few hours as it was never UNDER |
stood to be punishment, but was done simply |
to uphold the dignity of the court and the law.
Some two years ago Senator Riddleberger de- |
nounced Judge Newman in an editorial in the |
Shenandoah Herald as liar and paItroon, or
words to that effect. ThrOngs of friends crowd |
to the jail hourly to see him. Judge Allen, the
present United States district attorney, made |
motion yesterday before Judge Newman to re-
nit the judgment OF the court Robert j. |
cOncurred. Other members of the bar recon-
mended to Judge Newman that Senator Riddle
berger be released, one being Democrat, say
ing that the good citizens of Shenandoah
county demanded hiss release but the Judge
was memorable. Senator Riddleberger will to-
noon, as he then will have served his term OF
five days for contempt of court. The addi-
tiOnal five days for resisting an officer he does
not recognize, and claims that the law gives
him right of a trial by jury
A Woodstock, Va, special to the Baltimore
cupy cell, but lives in comfortable apart |
meut in the sherlfrs house.